Amarone della Valpolicella – Opulence from dried grapes
There are wines you drink – and there are wines you experience. The Amarone della Valpolicella clearly belongs to the second category. Deep, complex, velvety, and with a power that is second to none: once you have had a real Amarone in your glass, you immediately understand why this wine from the Veneto has been one of the most sought-after red wines in the world for decades. At Vinoscout, you will find a carefully curated selection of 11 Amarone wines from the best houses in Valpolicella – from accessible entry-level bottles to the great Riserva for special moments.
Character and taste: Opulence with depth
What makes Amarone della Valpolicella so unmistakable? It is above all the Appassimento process – the controlled drying of the harvested grapes over several months on bamboo racks or in special drying rooms. Due to the loss of water, sugar, aromas, and extracts concentrate many times over. The result is a wine of extraordinary density and complexity.
In the glass, Amarone shows a deep ruby red that turns to garnet with age. On the nose, aromas unfold of:
- Dark fruits – cherries, plums, blackberries, dried figs
- Spice and herbs – tobacco, leather, chocolate, cinnamon
- Wood and vanilla – depending on aging in barriques or large wooden barrels
On the palate, Amarone is full-bodied and warm, with alcohol levels often between 15 and 17 percent. The tannins are ripe and velvety, the acidity gives the wine structure and length despite all its fullness. The finish is long, warm, and lasting – a wine that stays in the memory.
Origin and production: Veneto at the highest level
The home of Amarone is the Valpolicella, a hilly area west of Verona in the Veneto. The classic zone – the Valpolicella Classico – includes the original municipalities around Sant'Ambrogio, Fumane, Marano, and Negrar. This is where the three main grape varieties of Amarone grow: Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara, supplemented by other permitted varieties.
After the harvest, the best grapes are selected and dried for at least 90 days – a process that requires the utmost care to prevent mold and ensure even drying. This is followed by a long fermentation and extended aging in wood. It often takes several years before release. Riserva wines age significantly longer and reach a complexity that is second to none.
The producers in our range stand for the best that Valpolicella has to offer: Masi, Sergio Zenato, Tedeschi Wines, Speri Viticoltori, Bolla, Cà dei Frati, and Latium Morini – all names that have stood for quality and craftsmanship in the region for generations.
Food recommendations: When the wine honors the food
An Amarone della Valpolicella is not a light companion – it is a protagonist at the table. Its power and fullness demand dishes that can keep up:
- Braised meat – Brasato al Barolo, Ossobuco, leg of lamb from the oven
- Game – roast venison, wild boar ragout, venison goulash
- Aged cheeses – Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino stagionato, Grana Padano
- Risotto all'Amarone – the classic companion from the region itself
- Dark chocolate – as pure enjoyment after the meal
Serve Amarone best at 18 to 20 degrees and open the bottle at least an hour before drinking – or use a decanter. Young examples benefit particularly from sufficient air.
Buy Amarone della Valpolicella at Vinoscout
Would you like to order Amarone della Valpolicella online? At Vinoscout, you will find a hand-picked selection of over 10 wines that cover different styles, vintages, and price ranges – from accessible entry-level wines in the practical 0.375-liter bottle of the Masi Costasera to the impressive 1.5-liter magnum bottle of the same wine – a perfect gift for special occasions.
Among the most purchased wines by our customers are the Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico and the Masi Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico – both excellent entries into the world of Amarone. Those who like it a bit more accessible should reach for the Bolla Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. For the big evening, we recommend the Zenato Riserva or the Speri Sant'Urbano – wines that show what Valpolicella is truly capable of.
Let yourself be inspired by our range and discover which Amarone suits you. Your next great red wine moment is waiting.
